Wisconsin insurance firm CEO pays $2.1M for Keene's Pointe home

The president and CEO of Wisconsin-based Acuity Insurance recently paid $2.1 million for a lakefront home in the Keene's Pointe community of Windermere.

Benjamin M. Salzmann bought the property on Vinci Drive through a Wisconsin affiliate, Salzmann FL LLC, according to a deed signed Sept. 29 and recorded last Wednesday in Orange County. The seller was Kattenhorn Family Holdings LLC, headed by Leslie A. and Carole Y. Kattenhorn, natives of Hampshire, England who own British road surfacing contractor L. Kattenhorn & Partners.

The 5,873-square-foot home has five bedrooms and six baths and sits on 1.46 acres along Lake Burden. The master suite is crafted with large windows and French door access to the rear lanai and pool.

The home's kitchen features 42-inch cream cabinets, under-cabinet lighting, granite work spaces and a walk-in pantry. All appliances are stainless steel, including built-in microwave and refrigerator. In the back, an outdoor summer kitchen complements the custom pool and spa.

Salzmann did not respond to requests for comment. Acuity does not have a Florida office and an employee in the insurance company's sales office said it has no plans to establish one in the state.

Salzman joined Acuity, then called Heritage Mutual Insurance, as CIO in 1990, according to a 2001 article in "InformationWeek, Insurance & Technology." He was named president and CEO in 1997.

The article documents Salzmann's efforts to use technology to heighten the company's performance, especially in reducing Acuity's expenses.

Founded in 1925, Acuity is consistently rated one of the top 50 U.S. insurance companies by Ward Group, which analyzes the financial performance of nearly 3,000 property-casualty insurance firms annually.

Acuity provides coverage for 190,000 personal customers and 107,000 businesses, according to the company's website.

Gonzalo Senior of IRM Invest Real Estate & Management represented the sellers in the sale, while the buyers were represented by Premier Realty Partners Inc.

Have a tip about Central Florida development? Contact me at msalinero@outlook.com. Follow GrowthSpotter on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.